The Chosen [COMPLETED]

Chapter 5

We followed Harper as she brought us to a large painting. She grabbed the edge and pulled it open like a door. We frantically went into the chamber one by one, and the door was closed behind us. The chamber was a large room that had a few tables and chairs scattered around it. We were told to sit down and listen for instructions. 

"I apologize for this inconvenience. But since there are rebels in the palace, we need to stay down here until we get cleared." Harper announced. I heard some of the girls mumble things to one another. Katrina and I glanced at each other, and her eyes looked uncertain. 

"Don't worry, we will be fine," I said, trying to keep her, and myself calm. 

We sat at our small tables and quietly made small talk for a while. A girl named Farley started to talk with Katrina and I. The three of us got along well, I was glad to have people I could talk to, and not have to worry about competing with. I had never really had many friends before. I had one friend when I was in middle school, but she moved away so her parents could find a better job. 

I looked around at the small groups of girls and realized I did not know many of their names. I asked Katrina and Farley if they knew anyone. Farley had met a few people and she pointed them out to me. 

"That one is Chloe, a two. She is kind of a brat though, so I would try to avoid her." I looked over to where Chloe was sitting. She was slim, and had blonde hair. She wore a large necklace with matching earrings. Just from looking at her, I could tell I should avoid her. 

 We talked about where we were from and what ranks we were from. I learned that Katrina was a five and Farley was a four. Katrina said she was excited to be here, she thought she could make it far. I told her that if she stayed as positive as she normally was, she could have a chance. 

I kept thinking about how long we had been in the chamber. I was worried about the strength of the rebels and how it could take as long as it was. I tried not to show my fear to my friends as best as possible, even though they were probably just as worried. 

An officer that was in the chamber with us went over to Harper to give her an update.

"Ladies. We have been giving the all-clear." I heard a few sighs of relief from some of the girls around me, and one of them was mine. We stood up and followed Harper to the door. 

We walked out, and saw the damage that was done. Curtains had been pulled down, vases shattered in tiny pieces, and some windows had been broken. A few officers were carrying injured or dead men on stretchers. I could not believe how much damage these rebels had done. 

I was escorted up to my room by the same officer who had brought me to lunch. When he opened my door, at first glance I never would have guessed a rebel was in my room. But when I walked in and saw my maids sweeping broken glass, I thought differently. 

"Did they take anything?" I asked. Justine shook her head.

"They just messed up your room a bit, no worries." 

Just then, I heard a knock on my door. I was going to go answer it, but Tracy beat me there. I stood behind her as she opened it up. I saw Prince Easton standing there, in a black suit that looked a lot like the one he wore when he announced the chosen. Tracy bowed, and I copied her. 

"Miss Beckett?" I nodded my head. his voice sounded lower in person than on camera. 

"I came to make sure you are alright." 

"I'm fine. Thank you for asking." I responded, trying not to sound shy. I wanted to make sure he knew that I did not need his company. 

"Glad to hear you are alright." He said. I wondered why he was still here. We stood there staring at each other for a while in complete silence. I don't know if I have ever been in a more awkward situation.

"Um, I should get going," Easton said, breaking the silence. 

"Would you like to go for a walk in the gardens with me sometime?" He asked me. 

"sure," I replied. I didn't want to, but for some reason I didn't say no. It was like my mouth responded before my brain could even process what Easton had said. 

"Great. It's a date, does tomorrow after lunch work?" He smiled. I nodded my head, trying not to speak before I said anything else I would later regret. 

When Easton left, I collapsed on my bed. I planned to be with the Prince as little as possible and go home as soon as I got the chance. But now I was going on my first date with him. 

We were told that we were not able to leave our rooms for the rest of the day. Dinner was delivered to our rooms, and the only people I could talk to were my maids. They were very polite and wanted to learn more about me. I told them I was a seven and a little about my family. They would interrupt me a few times and relate to some of the things I said. All three of them were very shocked when I told them I had never had a boyfriend before. 

I learned that Justine and Tracy were both sixes and got jobs in the palace. Amy was young enough and was born in the palace. Her parents also got a divorce when she was young. She barely remembers anything about her mother. I felt bad for her. I knew what she had been through.

I enjoyed talking with my maids for a while. It gave me something to do, but eventually they had to go back to work. I was left alone with my thoughts until I got ready for bed. I was changed into a long nightgown. They put my hair down and rubbed the makeup off my face. I felt like myself again, and it felt wonderful. 

I climbed into my monstrous bed. It may have been so much better than my bed at home, but I still could not fall asleep. I tossed and turned most of the night. For once, I wanted to sleep in my cold hard bed, at home, where my family was.